Light display instrument

ABSTRACT

A device for producing esthetically pleasing patterns of light which is controllable like a musical instrument. The device includes an elastically stretchable reflective mirror surface which is spaced from a high intensity light source. A collimating and focusing lens is interposed between the reflective surface and the light source so that light beams emanating from said light source and reflected from said reflective surface are focused st a point within an aperture defined in the cabinet of the device. A dynamic image display may be produced by applying localized pressures to the reflective surface thereby distorting the reflected pattern. These localized forces may be applied by sound waves, manual pressure and the like. Further interesting effects are obtainable by varying the optical characteristics of the light beams as they pass through the focal point as by the use of light filters or masks.

United States Patent [72] Inventor John F. Forkner 2670 Solana Way,Laguna Beach, Calif. 92651 [21 1 Appl. No. 771,479

[22] Filed Oct. 29, 1968 [45 Patented May 25, 1971 [54] LIGHT DISPLAYINSTRUMENT 19 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. (I 841464,

[51] Int. Cl A63j 17/00 [50] Field of Search 84/464; 35 3/98 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,977,997 10/1934 Patterson84/464 2,41 1,804 l l/ l 946 Plebanek 84/464 3,140,347 7/1964 CohenABSTRACT: A device for producing esthetically pleasing patterns of lightwhich is controllable like a musical instrument. The device includes anelastically stretchable reflective mirror surface which is spaced from ahigh intensity light source. A collimatin g and focusing lens isinterposed between the reflective surface and the light source so thatlight beams emanating from said light source and reflected from saidreflective surface are focused st a point within an aperture defined inthe cabinet of the device. A dynamic image display may be produced byapplying localized pressures to the reflective surface therebydistorting the reflected pattern. These localized forces may be appliedby sound waves, manual pressure and the like. Further interestingeffects are obtainable by varying the optical characteristics of thelight beams as they pass through the focal point as by the use of lightfilters or masks.

PATENTED M25197: 7 3580.126 SHEET 1 [IF 3 INVENTOR. JOHN E FOEK/VEZ Fan4E2, mvoaae 414276716 PATENT EU HAY25 I971 SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR. JOHN FFOEK/VEE Fan/45?, (M0886 a nmerews 4 TTOZ/VE/SZ LIGHT DISPLAY INSTRUMENTBACKGROUND or INVENTION This invention relates to a device for producingesthetically pleasing displays of light for viewing alone or inconjunction with music. The device is capable of operation in anartistic manner similar to a musical instrument.

There is an increasing interest in correlating the musical product ofcontemporary dance band combos with a visual interpretation or effect ofthe music. Typically the visual effect has been provided by lightprojecting machines which portray various notes or the tempo of themusic in colors or patterns displayed on appropriate surfaces adjoiningthe musical group. Generally the projectors for such images are operatedindependently of the musical instruments which make up the group,although some electronic systems have been devised which may be operatedin conjunction with musical instruments such as with a piano keyboard.Typically these devices include extensive electrical circuitry ormechanical control systems for varying the projected images inaccordance with the music.

A typical projector of this sort includes control circuitry andmechanically operated cam devices for varying the projected light andvarying the pattern of the images projected therefrom. A patternedreflective surface is used with such device and distorted into variousconfigurations by the mechanically operated cams or other means mountedon the apparatus and synchronized with the music. Such a device requiresa patterned reflector which must be changed foreach musical rendition tovary the visual interpretation of the .music. Additionally, with thistype device the reflector is moved in a controlled manner which dependsupon the internal mechanism of the device. Thus, to vary this controlledmanner of movement of the reflector member, it is additionally necessarytoreprogram the device for synchronization with various musicalrenditions.

In contrast to this type of a programmed projection apparatus, there isa need for a device which will provide a visual interpretation whichcorresponds to the tempo, rhythm, or beat of a musical rendition bydirectly associating the visual projector with the mood or soundsproduced by the musical group. To esthetically accomplish such anassociation, it is necessary to provide a visual projector which can becontrolled directly by the musical artist or by a nonmusical member ofthe group who can develop a skill in visually interpreting the music.The projecting apparatus must be capable of sensitive control of theprojected light displays to visually interpret the mood andtempo of themusicalnumber.

It has also been found that in order to better represent the effect ofthe visual interpretation of the music, it may be necessary to provide adevice capable of, projecting a threedimensional image. Such a deviceprovides'an interesting sup plement to the effect of varying theprojected light display.

Additionally, it has been found that there is a need for a visualinterpretation imaging projector which provides greater contrast andsensitivity than those devicespresently available and which can bereadily adapted to changing-musical moods, tempos and numbers. Such adevice should also be operable independently of the music for displayingreflected light in an artistically controlled manner.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION.

- through the focal point of the focused light.

Such optical systems including a focusing lens are generally known asSchlieren-type optical systems and have been found to produceexceptional contrasts and characteristics of the projected light whencombined with the stretchable, resilient mirror.

The device may utilize a Fresnel lens which is mounted adjacent aresilient, elastically stretchable drum head having a reflecting surfaceon at least a a 'portion of the inner side thereof. In this instance,the flexible minor formed by the drum head may be a portion of apercussion instrument such as a snare drum, base drum, kettledrum andthe like. The reflected light display is distorted by bending andstretching the resilient drum head during its use as a musicalinstrument or if the reflecting surface is not a part of a musicalinstrument it may be used independently by an artist who renders his ownvisual interpretation. of the music. This may be accomplished bydeforming the reflective drum head by hand or with suitable forceapplying means such as cushioned or regular drumsticks. The resilientdrum head may be produced from any flexible material having a reflectivecoating thereon. For example, a high strength polyester film such as thepolyethylene terephthalate polymer Mylar, which is formed thecondensation reaction of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, having areflective metallized surface thereon may be used. The reflectivesurfaces may also be applied by coating or lamination. It is alsopossible to use thin flexible metallic reflectors such as aluminum orstainless but these materials are not as effective as the syntheticfilms'since they are not elastically stretchable by a suflicientdistance to provide the variations obtainable with the resin films.Typically the polyethylene terephthalate polymers have elongations ofpercent and tensile strengths on the order of 25,000 p.s.i.

' Colored filters, stenciled patterns, masks and other means may be usedat the focal point of the rays emanating from the mirror reflectingsurface so that the operator can rapidly change the appearance,intensity and configuration of the projected light in time with themusic with which the device is associated. Transparencies may beinserted in the device over or under the lens and projected to provideimpressionistic distortable images or the name of the group for example.

In another embodiment of the device of this invention, the flexiblemirror can be curved so that the light rays are focused by theconfiguration.of-the-mirror alone. This may be accomplished by makingthe flexible reflecting surface as one side of a closed, valved,airtight chamber. The other side may be fonned by a flat, transparent,plate glass member. The mirror is deformed into a flattened or oblatehemispheroidby pumping air or an inert gas into the .chamber. It hasbeen found that the flexible reflector so formed into a curved mirrorstill retains its flexibility so that it can be resiliently deflected todistort the reflections emanating therefrom.

Theuse of a Schlieren-type optical system with an aperture located atthe focal point of the reflected rays enhances the contrast betweenlight and dark regions or colored regions of the reflected pattern.Additionally, the sensitivity ofthe reflecting surface is amplified bythe use of the Fresnellens and the Schlieren optical system. TheSchlieren-type system further enables the use of simple means forvarying-the light pattern which is projected from the device with theuse of colored filters,.stencils', and other such means. By the use ofadditional flat reflecting mirrors the flexible mirror can be located atpractically any position desired and the produced light pattern can bedirected any appropriate direction from the device. For example, theflexible mirror may be in a horizontal plane as a snare drum head orkettledrum head and the emanating light rays may be reflected behind theperformer on a screen or wall surface.

- Normally the flexible mirror will undergo slight vibrations inresponse to the tempo and beat of the music. The musical sound producesa vibration of the mirror which varies in amplitude with the intensityof the sound so that the reflected representation is dependent upon thevariations of the music with which the deviceis associated. This effectcan be amplified by suitably coupling an electroacoustical transducersuch as a speaker to the-flexible mirror. The speaker may be driven bysignals from live or recorded music. In this instance the vibrationalefiects of the mirror are amplified by the direct connection of thespeaker to the mirror. For example, the

speaker and mirror may form the opposite sides of a closed sound box. Ithas also been found that a three-dimensional light pattern can be formedby the use of dual Schlieren-typeoptical system and appropriate filters.For example two light sources may be employed one of which is red incolor the other of which is green in color. The reflected patternthrough the Fresnel lens using the Kaleidoscope mirrors, a brilliantdisplay of light'patterns may be produced by small variations of thesurface con- DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG.1, it can-be seen that in the preferred 1 embodiment the display devicecabinet may be of a figurations of the'resilient mirror. TheseKaleidoscopic designs literally dance on the projection screen as theyappear, disappear and reappear with variations in the intensity andpitch of the associated music. Such avivid visual representation andinterpretation of musical compositions has heretofore not beenproducible with existing light projection devices.

A feature of the display device of the present invention is to projectin a controlled manner a vivid, sharp, esthetic, dynamic lightdisplaywhich may be correlated with music or used independently. v

Another feature of the device of this invention is to provide a lightdisplay projector which can be artistically controlled by a skilledperformer to provide a visual interpretation of associated music.

Yet another feature of the device of this invention is that it can beused to project lettering or images from a transparency onto a remotesurface and to subsequently distort the projected image.

Still another feature of this invention is to provide a device whichprojects a visual representation of a musical composition and which maybe included as an integral portion of a musical instrument.

Another feature of the display device of this invention is to provide alight projector which projects a controllable light image and inwhichthe reflecting surface is resilient so that it may be varied inaccordance with deformations induced therein and in which the systemincludes means for rapidly varying the pattern, color and configurationsof the projected rays.

Yet another feature of this invention is to provide an estheticallypleasing light display projector which is a sensitive instrument withwhich artistic performances can be given.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS accordance with another embodiment of thisinvention and having a curved flexible mirror without a collimatinglens;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of another arrangement of the opticalsystem for use in a light display device constructed in accordance withthis invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view through another embodiment of the lightdisplay device connected to an electroacoustical transducer foroperation thereby; and

FIG. 6' is a diagrammatic view of an optical system for use in a lightdisplay device constructed in accordance with another embodiment of thisinvention.

generally rectangular, boxlike configuration. The cabinet, as-

best shown in FIG. 2, includes a top wall 11 and sidewalls 12 which maybe tapered to enhance the overall appearance. A thin, resilient,flexible, substantially rectangular mirror 14- is mounted on top of theimage display device cabinet 10 on a suitable frame 16. The mirror maybe adhesively attached o'r clamped to the upper, side and lower surfacesof the frame 16 by suitable means such as bolts 15 which arecircumferentially spaced about the mirror for adjusting the tensiontherein. The frame 16 is mounted about a substantially rectangularopening 17 in the top 11 of the display cabinet 10. A suitable focusing.

and collimating lens 18 is disposed subjacent the mirror 12 over'theopening 17 of the cabinet. The lens 18 may be any focusing andcollimating lens. A Fresnel lens is preferred since it is not as largeand heavy as other lenses having comparable focusing power. I

A reflecting mirror 20 is fixedly mountednear the lower portion of thecabinet 10 at an acute angle to the bottom of the cabinet.'The mirror 20may be mounted by a fixed frame or brackets 21 for holding it in place.Any suitable means for maintaining the mirror in this fixed position canbe used.

As best shown in FIG. 1, a small, high intensity lamp 22 is mounted atthe front portion of the cabinet 10. The lamp 22 may be a high intensitytungsten filament lamp which is fixed in the front portion of thecabinet by suitable brackets 24. As shown in FIG. 1, a cooling fan 26may be mounted adjacent the lamp 22 with an accompanying small motor 28for preventing the temperature of the lamp from getting too high.

The fan 26 may be mounted on a pivotable arm so that it can be swung infront of the light path from the lamp 22 to the mirror'l4. In thisposition, the blades of the fan 26 periodically interfere with the lightemanating from the lamp 22 to provide an intermittent flashing lightstroboscope effect.

The top of the cabinet 10, near. its front edge, is provided with asubstantially square projecting aperture 30. A post 32 is fixedlymounted adjacent the aperture 30. The post 32 has a vertical section 34and a horizontal section 36. Thehorizo'ntally extending section 36 isadapted to fit into a tubular mount 38 which is connected adhesively orby welding to a reflecting mirror 40 so that when the tubular mount 38is fixed over the horizontally extending portion 36 of the post 32 themirror 40 can be revolved about the horizontally extending I section 36.The mirrormay be fixed in any desired position by tightening it in placeby means of the setscrew 42 which bears against the horizontal portion36 of the post 32.

Preferably, the mirror 14 is constructed from a flexible, thin,elastically stretchable or resilient supporting material such as thesynthetic high polyester resin polyethylene and terephthalate which isprovided with a reflective coating such as aluminum or chromium on theunderside thereof. The cabinet 10 may be constructed from any suitablematerial such as wood, steel, synthetic resins or other like materials.The frame 16 may be constructed from similar materials. Although arectangular frame is shown, any configuration may be used. For example,the mirror, frame and aperture may be through the collimating lens 18and are collimated before striking the flexible reflecting'mirror 14.From the flexible mirror 14, they are reflected back through thefocusing lens 18 and coverage after reflecting from-mirror 20 at theaperture 30 in the top 11 of the cabinet 10. After passing through theirfocal point at 30, the rays intersect reflecting mirror 40 and by theorientation of mirror 40 are directed upon a appropriate displayingsurface 41.

In principle, the patterns of light and their variations which areobserved at the surface 41 are produced when the flexible mirror 14 isdistorted by applying pressure to the mirror 14. The collimated beamimpinging on the flexible mirror 14 is initially distorted by reflectionfrom the mirror 14 so that a distorted beam is subsequently imaged onthe remote surface. In practice the aberrations of the collimating lens18 are such that a very poor image of the light source 22 is produced.This is desirable, however, since a great variety of patterns and colorsresult from the effects of these aberrations in conjunction with thedistortions of the flexible mirror 14 which create and intensify thevariations of patterns and colors to make an esthetically pleasing lightdisplay. Due to the erratic distribution of light at the focus of thelens 18 near aperture 30, an enhancement of the light patterns generatedby the flexible mirror 14 can be produced by introducing various memberswhich modify the optical characteristics of the light passing throughthe aperture 30. These members are generally represented by the lightmodifying member 46 shown in phantom lines. For example the member 46may be one or more color filters, stencils, polarizing lenses, lightmasks and other such modifying members.

Attractive distribution and controlled displays of light can be achievedby skillful manipulation of the light at the focus of the light beamsnear the aperture 30. These light modifying members 46 operate onvarious parts of the projected pattern of light in a extremely complexfashion that results in partial multiple images and severely distortedimages which are actually shadow projections of the mask, stencil orfilter fragments. With some skill the device can be artisticallyoperated so as to follow the beat of music or it can be operatedindependently to provide a visual, interpretation of music beingpresented simultaneously.

A horizontal slot 47 may be providedjthrough the upper wall 11 forpassing a transparency 48 (see FIG. 1) which has images or letteringthereon. These are visible on the remote surface and may be allowed toremain when the device is operated.

The flexible reflecting mirror 14 can be actually used as a drum head sothat distortions are created by a direct result of contact of thedrumsticks with the mirror so that the pattern displayed by theprojector changes rapidly with the drumbeats. Also this may beaccomplished by coating the inner sur face of a conventional drum headwith a reflective coating or paint and using that surface in the placeof mirror 14. Altematively the lower outer surface of the drum may becoated with reflective material and used as the flexible mirror in theoptical system of FIG. 2.-

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen diagrammatically that thecollimating and focusing lens can be eliminated if themirror surfaceitself is curved and capable of focusing the light beams emanating fromthe light source. SURFACE ITS ELF IS CURVED AND CAPABLE OF FOCUSING THELIGHT BEAMS EMANATING FROM THE LIGHT SOURCE. The embodiment shown inFIG. 3 includes a'flexible mirror 50! which is expandable outwardly.This mirror may be constructed from resilient Mylar or from any of theresilient synthetics having a reflective inner surface.

The mirror 50 is mounted on a frame 52 by wrapping the outer edges ofthe mirror about the frame 52 and adhesively attaching the edges to theframe. The frame 52 is in turn mounted on the upper wall 54 of thecabinet 56 of the device. A lower transparent glass plate 60 is alsomounted on the upper wall 54. A sealing resin such as a caulkingcompoundor a silicone rubber resin is pressed intermediate the frame 52and the plate 60 to form an airtight chamber between the plate 60 andthe upper mirror 50. The frame 52 and the plate 60 may also be bolted tothe wall 54.

The plate 60 is provided with an integrally attached glass tubularconduit 62 which has a valve 64 mounted therein. The conduit 62 may beconnected to a pump or other means for supplying pressurized gases intothe chamber defined between the plate 60 and the mirror 50. Thus, toform the curved focusing mirror 50, air is pumped into this chamberexpanding the mirror 50 outwardly much like a balloon into a curved Thebeam is then projected onto a remote screen or flat sur-' face (notshown) for exhibiting the resultant light patterns. By depressing themirror 56 either manually or with suitable instruments such as cushioneddrumsticks, the image is distorted thus creating the desired pattern onthe remote surface.

Again with this embodiment of the invention, it is possible to use asmany planar reflecting mirrors such as mirror 68 as is desired and todirect the light pattern to any desired location. Additionally, theaperture 70 may be mounted on an extension in the top wall as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, if desired, by the use of an additional reflecting mirrorfor a different orientation of the planar reflecting mirrors such as 68.In this embodiment the mirror68 is preferably fixed in position bysuitable brackets 71 which are mounted on the cabinet walls.

With the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the produced light pattern may beassociated with a musical instrument by connecting the tube 62 to theair exhaust of a percussion instrument or to a wind instrument.

Referring now to FIG. 4, which illustrates diagrammatically a differentembodiment of the optical system for a light display projector, it willbe seen that the optical system can be modified to produce a light imagewhich appears three-dimensional when viewed through the proper viewingglasses. In this embodiment, two light sources and 80' are used. A pairof filters 82 and 82' are disposed in front of the light sources 80 and80 respectively so that light emanating from the light sources 80 and 80are imparted with different optical characteristics. For example filter82 may be a red filter and 82' a green filter or they may be crossedpolaroid filters. The paths of the light rays, as shown by dashed lines84 and 84', are spaced slightly from each other due to the spacing ofthe light sources 80 and 80'. These light rays pass through the lens 86and impinge upon a flexible reflecting mirror 88 which is much the sameas mirror 14 as discussed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. The mirror maybe distorted by means such as drumstick 90 to cause variations in thelight reflected therefrom and unusual images on the viewing screen. Astrue with all the embodiments shown, different distortions are obtainedby contacting different portions of the mirror 88.

The lens 86 focuses the light'at a point within the aperture 91 definedin the projection device. The characteristics of these light beams maybe varied at this point by use of appropriate filters and masks asdiscussed previously. The light beams are projected onto a viewingsurface 92 which may be a curved or flat surface capable of displayingthe images projected thereon.

By the use of appropriate filters 94 and 94' the spaced images may beviewed by an observer to provide a threedimensional effect. The addeddimension enables the viewer to observe many unusual distortions andfeatures and other ramifications of the projected light display.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the light display deviceof this invention can be connected directly to an electroacousticaltransducer such as the speaker 95. For example the speaker 95 may havean annular mounting adapter flange 96 around its outer edge. The loweredge of the adapter 96 may be mounted on an annular felt or rubbermounting pad 97 which tits on top of the flexible mirror 14 over themounting frame 16'. The device constructed in accordance with thisembodiment of the invention produces visual images which vary inaccordance with the pressure produced on the flexible mirror 14' bymeans of the sound waves emanating from the speaker 95. The speaker 95may be connected to a microphone for use with a live musical group ormay be conrecorded music. Y Y

The opticalsystem shown inFlG. 6 may be included in any of theembodiments discussed for enhancing the image display nected to arecorder for correlating the image distortions with V disposed along thelight path between light source 100 and the Fresnel lens 102 at an acuteangle to one another. An aperture 110 is provided in one wall of theprojector cabinet at the focal pointof the lens 102. Light emanatingthrough aperture 110 may be directed to. an appropriate display surfacemy means of a planar reflecting mirror 1 12.

If a Fresnel lens is used for the lens 102 its center of curvature 105should be positioned just above the apex of the angle formed by theintersection of the mirrors 106 and 108. As is known the Kaleidoscopicpattern is divided into six segments. It has been found that thesesegments will be of equal magnitude if the lens is so positioned.

These elements of the optical system are included in a tion of theflexible mirror 103 and the use of light modifying members at theaperture 110. v

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent Iclaim:

1. An apparatus for projecting a prising:

a high intensity light source; a reflective surface disposed a spaceddistance away from said light source and being resilient so that itdeforms when a force is applied thereto for reflecting distorted lightimages from said surface; I Y a Fresnel lens positioned with respect tosaid reflective surface so as to intercept light rays from saidreflective surface for focusing said light reflected from saidreflective surface; and means for directing said reflected light to aremote location after said reflected light passes through thefocalpoint.

random light display com- 2. An apparatus as defined in claim I whereinsaid light image is projected to said remote location.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for varying thereflected light properties comprise patterned masks .for controlling theconfiguration of light passing throughsaid aperture. I

a 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective surfa ceis associated with the head of a percussion instrument for movementtherewith.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said surface comprisessynthetic, elastically stretchable material having a 1 reflectivecoating on at least a portion thereof.

7. A apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said synthetic material isa polyethylene terephthalate polymer.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim l'and further including a fan meansfor cooling said light source, said fan means being interposed betweensaid light source and said reflective surface so that said fan meansperiodically interferes with the light passing from said light sourcetosaid reflective surface.

9. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising:

a high intensity light source; at least one curved reflective surfacedisposed a spaced distance away from said light source and beingresilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto forreflecting distorted light images from said surface and for focusingsaid light reflected from said resilient reflective surface; Y

means at the focal region of said at least one curved reflective surfacefor defining an opening through which said light passes; and

means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after saidreflective light passes through a focal point.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said curved reflectivesurface for focusing said reflected light comprises an oblatehemispheroidal curved portion on said reflective surface.

11. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: I

. a high intensity light source;

a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said lightsource and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is appliedthereto, said surface forming one side of an airtight chamber and aspaced, opposing transparent member forming the other side thereof, saidchamber further including means for increasing the pressure in saidairtight chamber to cause the reflective surface to balloon outwardlyinto a hemispheroidal configuration for directing light rays reflectedtherefrom to a focal point; and I means for directing the reflectedlight to aremote location after said reflected light passes through thefocal point. 12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 .wherein saidchamber includes means for providing communication with a musicalinstrument for varying the configuration of said surface in accordancewith the pressure generated by said musical instrument.

13. A apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a second lightsource disposed adjacent said light source and a pair of filters, one ofsaid filters being interposed between I each of said light sources andsaid reflective surface and said filters having different opticalcharacteristics so that the light beams reflected from said reflectivesurface are'of two different optical characteristics and when viewedthrough appropriate filtering members provide a three-dimensional image.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a pair ofsubstantially planar mirrors disposed at an acute angle to each otherand extending longitudinally intermediate said light'source and saidreflective surface to define an apparatus which provides a Kaleidoscopelight display.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said light sourcecomprises a high intensity electric lamp and said reflective surfacecomprises a high strength polyester film having a reflective substancecoated on one surface thereof, said film being stretched over a framemember so as to be resiliently movable when a pressure is applied tosaid film; said apparatus further including a flat reflective mirror fordirecting the light rays passing through said Fresnel lens to anaperture defined in said apparatus at the focal point of said lightrays; and said apparatus further including means for directing the lightrays 5 passing through said aperture onto a remote member.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective surfacecommunicates with an electroacoustical speaker through a closed Chamberso that the sound waves from said speaker cause distortions of saidreflective surface and produce variations in the light image reflected.

17. Means for projecting continuously changing, distorted light displayswhich comprise:

a reflective member comprising an elastically stretchable supportingmaterial having a reflective surface physically connected to saidsupporting material so that said reflective surface moves in correlationwith the movement of said supporting material, said reflective memberbeing adapted to be deformed in a controllable manner in conjunctionwith a force appliedto said reflective member from an extemalsource,said reflective rnemberdeforming in accordance with localized forcesapplied to different parts of the supporting material so as to producedistorted, reflected light rays from said reflective member; reflectivesurface means for focusing the light rays reflected from said reflectivemember at a focal point remote from said reflective member; means nearsaid focal point for varying the optical characteristics of said lightrays emanating from said reflective member; and

means for displaying said light rays as a continuously changing displayon a remotely located surface.

18. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: ahigh intensity light source;

means defining an opening;

a resilient reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from saidlight source and being stretched over said opening defining means so asto be stretchable by application of localized pressure;

a reflective surface intermediate said resilient reflective surface anda remote location for intercepting light reflected from said resilientsurface and focusing said light at a point intermediate said reflectivesurface and said remote location; and

an aperture located proximate the focal point of the light for varyingthe light rays emanating from the focal point.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 further including means at saidopening for varying the properties of said reflected light.

1. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto for reflecting distorted light images from said surface; a Fresnel lens positioned with respect to said reflective surface so as to intercept light rays from said reflective surface for focusing said light reflected from said reflective surface; and means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after said reflected light passes through the focal point.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said light source and said light source and said reflective surface are mounted within a cabinet having sidewalls and opposing top and bottom walls and including means located at the focal region of said Fresnel lens for defining an aperture through which said light passes and means at said aperture for verifying the properties of said reflected light.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 further including means adjacent said Fresnel lens for maintaining an image carrying transparency in the path of reflected light so that said image is projected to said remote location.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for varying the reflected light properties comprise patterned masks for controlling the configuration of light passing through said aperture.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective surface is associated with the head of a percussion instrument for movement therewith.
 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said surface comprises synthetic, elastically stretchable material having a reflective coating on at least a portion thereof.
 7. A apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said synthetic material is a polyethylene terephthalate polymer.
 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including a fan means for cooling said light source, said fan means being interposed between said light source and said reflective surface so that said fan means periodically interferes with the light passing from said light source to said reflective surface.
 9. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; at least one curved reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto for reflecting distorted light images from said surface and for focusing said light reflected from said resilient reflective surface; means at the focal region of said at least one curved reflective surface for defining an opening through which said light passes; and means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after said reflective light passes through a focal point.
 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said curved reflective surface for focusing said reflected light comprises an oblate hemispheroidal curved portion on said reflective surface.
 11. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto, said surface forming one side of an airtight chamber and a spaced, opposing transparent member forming the other side thereof, said chamber further including means for increasing the pressure in said airtight chamber to cause the reflective surface to balloon outwardly into a hemispheroidal configuration for directing light rays reflected therefrom to a focal point; and means for directing the reflected light to a remote location after said reflected light passes through the focal point.
 12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said chamber includes means for providing communication with a musical instrument for varying the configuration of said surface in accordance with the pressure generated by said musical instrument.
 13. A apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a second light source disposed adjacent said light source and a pair of filters, one of said filters being interposed between each of said light sources and said reflective surface and said filters having different optical characteristics so that the light beams reflected from said reflective surface are of two different optical characteristics and when viewed through appropriate filtering members provide a three-dimensional image.
 14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a pair of substantially planar mirrors disposed at an acute angle to each other and extending longitudinally intermediate said light source and said reflective surface to define an apparatus which provides a Kaleidoscope light display.
 15. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a high intensity electric lamp and said reflective surface comprises a high strength polyester film having a reflective substance coated on one surface thereof, said film being stretched over a frame member so as to be resiliently movable when a pressure is applied to said film; said apparatus further including a flat reflective mirror for directing the light rays passing through said Fresnel lens to an aperture defined in said apparatus at the focal point of said light rays; and said apparatus further including means for directing the light rays passing through said aperture onto a remote member.
 16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective surface communicates with an electroacoustical speaker through a closed chamber so that the sound waves from said speaker cause distortions of said reflective surface and produce variations in the light image reflected.
 17. Means for projecting continuously changing, distorted light displays which comprise: a reflective member comprising an elastically stretchable supporting material having a reflective surface physically connected to said supporting material so that said reflective surface moves in correlation with the movement of said supporting material, said reflective member being adapted to be deformed in a controllable manner in conjunction with a force applied to said reflective member from an external source, said reflective member deforming in accordance with localized forces applied to different parts of the supporting material so as to produce distorted, reflected light rays from said reflective member; a reflective surface means for focusing the light rays reflected from said reflective member at a focal point remote from said reflective member; means near said focal point for varying the optical characteristics of said light rays emanating from said reflective member; and means for displaying said light rays as a continuously changing display on a remotely located surface.
 18. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; means defining an opening; a resilient reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being stretched over said opening defining means so as to be stretchable by application of localized pressure; a reflective surface intermediate sAid resilient reflective surface and a remote location for intercepting light reflected from said resilient surface and focusing said light at a point intermediate said reflective surface and said remote location; and an aperture located proximate the focal point of the light for varying the light rays emanating from the focal point.
 19. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 further including means at said opening for varying the properties of said reflected light. 